Homestead Garage

[uhcrandy]

Hi Guys, I just bought acreage off grid, meaning no water or power. I wont be there a lot (2-3 weekends a month). I want a big garage, but I am concerned with security. This is very rural utah and the nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile or more away and maybe there as much as I am. I dont want to be bringing all my tools and projects up and down each time...Any ideas?

thanks

 

[PurdueSD]

Maybe a stupid question but what good is a garage without power?

Security-- i would say big dog but you wont be there enough.

perhaps an alligator infested mote?

 

[jay50]

No water or electric? Better suited for a hunting cabin....

 

[russlaferrera]

I know some people like to think outside the box. Can you shed any light on why or what you can accomplish without electric power.

Do you plan to use a generator, dig a well? Is power going to be available in the near future? Please help me out here.

As for security. But a old Tool truck and carry all your tools to and from the garage. In this manner you will have everything you need, and no one can steal them because as you described the location even with elect. no one can respond to a breakin in time

 

[firebird 97]

Put in a solar power system with battery's for hold the power you make that is not used. Then decide on some kind of alarm system that will call you or some one local using a cell phone. Dig a well and use your solar power to power a pump so you can have water. you can get a solar hot water heater and be good to go. The big thing is figure out how much power you plan to use and design your solar generating system to that.

 

[uhcrandy]

I have a generator for a air copressor and welder etc, The water is from run-off into a cistern. I am sick of dirtbags. I have had bikes, tools, stereos and computers stolen. I just guess security is a tender spot right now. I just want to be able to spend a long weekend wrencking on my hobby cars without dragging my shop with me...This may just be anrisk we all must take one way or the other...

 

[JohnK007]

The unfortunate answer is if someone wants to get in bad enough they will. By building out in the boonies with no one on site to keep an eye on the place, you're just giving the sh!theads more time to break in. You can make it harder for them by fortifying with a good steel door and either no windows or windows with burglar bars on them. I'd be inclined to build out of cider block and use glass block for windows but even that's no guarentee. You can make friends with the closest neighbor. Maybe he can keep an eye on things for you . But bottom line is I'd be pretty apprehensive storing any high-value equipment or tools in it. It's a sorry thing but that's the world we have now as you know all to well.

 

[cyclopsblown34]

How about making a windmill to generate electricity? Most any electric motor when driven by an outside force becomes a generator of sorts. Use geardrive of some sort for maximum efficiency unless you can mount the motor direct to the windmill shaft. Devise some sort of electricity storage and drive a security system off of it. I'm just grasping at straws here. I think the idea of a secluded shop is kick as s.

 

[g935cab]

They make these devices that you mount on the wall and its tripped by a door or window opened without the key and it has a large canister of pepper spray and optional dye which will trip forgot the name but gun shops in my area carry and use these devices , you could always use a shotgun rigged this way but the scumbags would sue you after they got out the hospital dont need electricty to run , i would mount your air compressor and big tools to the ceiling or weld to rebar left sticking out of the slab and just take your small tools with you good luck ~G

 

[agoogol]

Best security is for them to think nothing is there, so hide the tools! Think up something real trick, like a secret room....batcave.....

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4282305.html


Or luft down murphy bed type thing frmo the ceiling or something and they wont even know it is there!

 

[bushhawg73]

I have considered building 12 foot longer that I need and having a 10 foot long shipping container placed on the slab in a corner. Then have the building build around the container. The shipping containers are cheep and are very secure. They are all steel and would make a very secure tool room that you could control the temperature and humidity in easier that an entire shop. They are very heavy and would be impossible to move. If there was a tornado the container would have a better chance of staying put that the thin sheet metal buildings are built out of. Place a good lock on it and make a lock cover out of plate steel so bolt cutters could not get to the lock. Make sure that you dont leave a torch or any other cutting tools out so the dirt bags can use them to break in.

On a personal note I am a Deputy Sheriff and my wife and I are sick of the dirt bags too. We live in Florida and just bought 40 acres in Missouri. Beautiful land in Missouri. 1/3 of the population and much cheaper land taxes. We are hoping to move in the next 18 months. I cant wait. I have plans for a 30 deep and 40 long shop with 10 high walls.

Good luck with your project.

Gary

 

[Bib Overalls]

On a personal note I am a Deputy Sheriff and my wife and I are sick of the dirt bags too. We live in Florida and just bought 40 acres in Missouri. Beautiful land in Missouri. 1/3 of the population and much cheaper land taxes. We are hoping to move in the next 18 months. I cant wait. I have plans for a 30 deep and 40 long shop with 10 high walls.
Gary

I lived in Tampa for three years and in Miami for two. So I know a bit about Florida dirt bags. I live in Arkansas now, just a few miles from the Missouri boot heel. And I don't want to pop you bubble, but we have a meth epidemic here and, while the level of violence is no where near what we experienced in South Florida, there is a lot of property crime. In town and out in the country.

That said, I think this part of the country is a great place to live (if you have your living made). Good people. Reasonable cost of living. You are going to like it.

 

[Stig]

I'd surround the garage with a mesh fence topped with barbed wire so it looks menacing, then place a giant 'Hells Angels' sign at the entrance.
Should keep the small time losers out
I also like the shipping container idea

 

[bluesman2a]

I know I've posted this before, but this is a link to a fantastic project for living off the grid as well as some phenomenal security ideas. Also a great/cheap way to build a shop in a remote area. Start with shipping containers, and build your anti-scumbag compound out from there. Either with more containers or conventionally, but attached.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=510228

A good thread on container stuff:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19402

 

[V-10 Killer]

Ya know, one thing I'm suprised I never hear about when building garages with security in mind.
Poured walls, all the way up.
My parents built a small grocery store years back, and they did poured walls at least 16' high, and had a brick face texture on the outer walls, so it didn't need siding, just paint.
That plus a good steel door/jamb assembly made for poured walls would go a long ways for security, that would only leave you worrying about the front garage door.

 

[kbs2244]

I like the shipping container inside idea.
Keep everything on casters so you can move it into and out of the container.
I wouldn't get too carried away with outside stuff.
That is just raising a flag that says "I have expensive stuff in here."
A solar powered light by any doors. Maybe a solar powered camera in plain sight.
But that is all.
If they want to get in they will, but if there is a second step they didn't expect, like breaking open a container, and all the while a siren going with flashing lights, I think most will just say "Next time we go to the neighbors."

 

[bushhawg73]

16 years working in law enforcement and so many theft and burglary calls that I could not even begin to count.

The poured concrete walls are a good idea but there still has to be a door. I have a 5 foot Mayhew prybar that will open any door in less that 60 seconds. That is why I like the shipping container idea. They close like semi trailer doors and will give and flex with someone prying on them. A steel doorframe is only going to give so much and then the dead bolt is going to pull out of the hole and the door is open.

In my experience the following things will help.

1. Keep the structure hidden, not visible from the road.
2. Make the driveway curve and curve back so that the person has to go down the drive all the way to see what is down there.
3. Keep the area around structures clean so the you the owner can see.
4. Motion activated security lights, solar in this case.
5. Fence the perimeter and put up a gate. Normal 4 foot field fence will work with a good livestock gate.
6. Animals - dig a pond, put up some interior barb wire and buy a few billy goats. They will live unattended just fine and will act like dogs to some degree.
7. Alarm signs, place small alarm signs on the structure and install a self contained alarm with an air horn.
8. Make friends with someone local. Maybe let them hunt on the land or put cows or other livestock on a portion of it. Better yet find the local law enforcement and offer to let the police hunt there. They will guard it like fort knoxx.
9. Insurance. Be clear on what the building is and what is inside. Pay the premium and if there is ever a loss they will pay. Keep special tools like dad's old stuff at your home.

I hope this helps. One thing is for sure. If someone wants in they will get in. Given enough time any lock or security measure can be defeated.

Good luck,

Gary

 

[bushhawg73]

One other quick idea. Video camera that is remote operated via the internet. Just a cheep set up would let you see that the shop is still secure and give you peace of mind. To catch burglary suspects we are using the 150.00 digital game cameras and having a lot of sucess. The victim is still a victim but we do recover some property. Worth a shot plus they are self contained and cheep.
Gary